Must-win tiff up for Hapee

Defending champion Hapee Toothpaste hopes to nail down an all-important win today against early finalist Viva Mineral Water-FEU and gain a crack at the second finals berth in the 2004 PBL Unity Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.

A victory by the Teeth Sparklers over the Water Force in their 4 p.m. encounter will give them a shot at the other finals berth by virtue of the league’s 4-of-6 incentive rule. Hapee has won its last three games for an 8-7 (win-loss) record.

With a 9-6 mark, Welcoat is already assured of a playoff for the second championship berth regardless of the outcome of its game with Toyota Otis-Letran in the first match at 2 p.m.

A loss by Hapee, however, would pave the way for the best-of-five title showdown between Viva and Welcoat.

But if Hapee prevails, the playoff match will be held on Thursday.

Actually, Viva-FEU coach Koy Banal can pick either Welcoat — a team backstopped by two explosive players in Jojo Tangkay and Chester Tolomia but with a neophyte coach in Caloy Garcia, or he can go for Hapee — a team with a small line-up but with a fine coach in Junel Baculi.